William p



(No Model.)

W. P. BURNETT.

NAPKIN ADJUSTER.

No. 488,140. Patented Dec. 13, 1892.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. BURNETT, OF HAMILTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO HERBERTE. TWITCHELL, OF SAME PLACE.

NAPKlN-ADJUSTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 488,140, dated December13, 1892.

Application filed July 14, 1892. Serial No. 440,007. (No model.)

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. BURNETT, of Hamilton, Butler county,Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inNapkin-Adjusters, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of napkin-adjusters adapted to securea napkin to the collar to protect the bosom from being soiled; and myimprovements consist in constructing the adj uster of asingle piece ofwire, in protecting the pins that engage with the napkin by surroundingcoils of wire, and in providing points of increased flexibility in theadjuster. I attain these objects in the following-described manner, asillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents afront elevation of the adjuster; Fig. 2, a plan of the same; Fig. 3, anenlarged View from the under side of one of the coils inclosing theengaging-pin; Fig. 4, an enlarged inverted rear elevation of theopposite coil inclosing the engaging-pin.

In the drawings, A represents the hook adapted to engage with the collarand depending from the center of the adjuster. It is formed by the wirebeing doubled in the center at a and extended together in a straightline to b, where the doubled wire is turned forward at a right angle andextended a short distance to form the neck 0 of the hook. At the fronttermination of the neck the wire abruptly diverges laterally and curvesdownwardly in the form of an arc. Coils B are formed by close turns inthe wire about midway between the center and each end of the adjuster.They are situated within the curve of the arc and extend axially in arearward direction. Coils C, constructed with spaces (1 between theturns of the wire, terminate the ends of the arc. Said coils are turnedwithout the arc in a direction opposite to coils B, but extendrearwardly parallel thereto. The ends of the wire are pointed to formpins 6, which terminate in contrary directions across the respectivecoils C, and diagonally toward the front ends" thereof. The flexibilityof coils B permits the ends of the adjuster to be pressed nearertogether to receive the napkin, and their tendency to separate keeps theengaged napkin stretched tightly between them.

In securing the napkin to the adjuster the top edge of the napkin, nearthe ends, is inserted upwardly in the respective spaces cl, when thetension of the ends of the adjuster toward opposite directions causesthe respective pins 6 to penetrate the napkin and hold it securely. Toremove the napkin, it is simply pulled in an outward direction at eachend, when the pins become disengaged and the napkin isremoved fromspaces d.

In construction spring-wire should be used, preferably brass or steel,and the distance be tween the ends of the adjuster should exceed thewidth of the ordinary napkin, that the ends may be brought nearertogether under the tension of coils B to engage with the napkin and keepit stretched in a lateral direction.

Difierent forms of construction may be used. The coils may be turnedwithout or within the arc and extend in either direction therefrom, orthe hook may be of such other form as will adapt it to properly engagewith the collar. Coils B may be entirely dispensed with and the ordinaryflexibility of the wire depended upon for the proper stretching of thenapkin. .The importance of said coils, however, in keeping the centralportion of the adjuster in its normal position in relation to thecollar, regardless of the size of the napkin used, recommends their use.

What 1 claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. A napkin-adjuster consisting of a wire, said wire having its centralportion, formed into a hook, a portion near each of its ends formed intoa coil, its extremities reduced to a point to form pins, said pins beingsurrounded by and having directions opposite to each other and acrossthe respective coils, substantially as shown and for the purpose setforth.

2. A napkinadjuster consisting of a wire having its central portionformed into a hook, a portion of each of its ends formed into a coil,its extremities pointed to form integral pins, said pins terminatingwithin and in opposite directions across the respective coils, and coilsformed in said wire between said Eng coils and the hook, substantiallyas speci- WILLIAM P. BURNETT.

Witnesses:

ROBERT S. CARR, ISRAEL WILLIAMS.

